Soundgarden’s legal settlement with Vicky Cornell opens the doors to long-awaited new songs from the late Chris Cornell, a testament to the enduring legacy of the iconic grunge band.
In a development that is sure to thrill Soundgarden fans around the world, the band has settled with Vicky Cornell, the widow of their late frontman Chris Cornell, over a lawsuit regarding royalties from recordings Cornell made before his tragic death in 2017. The announcement, made in a joint statement posted to Vicky and Chris Cornell’s Instagram accounts, reveals that this resolution marks a new partnership between Soundgarden and Vicky Cornell, paving the way for the release of the final songs that the band and Chris were working on.
“The two parties are united and coming together to propel, honor and build upon Soundgarden’s incredible legacy as well as Chris’s indelible mark on music history – as one of the greatest songwriters and vocalists of all time,” the statement reads, hinting at the profound impact that Cornell had on the music world during his illustrious career.
Cornell, known for his brawny and soulful vocals, co-founded Soundgarden in 1984 in Seattle, along with bandmates Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto. Together, they helped define the grunge music scene in the mid-1980s and ’90s, alongside other iconic Seattle-based bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana. Soundgarden, which earned two Grammys, disbanded in 1997 but reunited in 2010, much to the excitement of their devoted fanbase.
Despite the band’s hiatus, Cornell remained prolific, embarking on a successful solo career and forming the supergroup Audioslave with members of Rage Against the Machine. His solo work even included the opening-credits theme song for the 2006 James Bond movie “Casino Royale,” showcasing his undeniable talent and versatility as a musician.
The lawsuit with Vicky Cornell over royalties from recordings Cornell made before his death had been a contentious issue, with both sides engaging in a back-and-forth battle. However, with this recent settlement, a resolution seems to have been reached, allowing for the release of the seven disputed recordings that Cornell made in his Miami Beach home studio months before his untimely death.
This news comes on the heels of another settlement reached by Cornell’s family in 2021 with a doctor who they alleged overprescribed anti-anxiety drugs to Cornell before he died, further underscoring the enduring impact of his loss on those close to him.
As Soundgarden and Vicky Cornell embark on this new partnership, fans eagerly anticipate the release of these final songs from one of rock music’s most influential and revered voices. The upcoming tracks, when released, will be Soundgarden’s first output in over a decade, serving as a poignant reminder of Chris Cornell’s enduring legacy as a songwriter, vocalist, and music icon.
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